Stepping out for Doncaster girl’s life-saving medics

Over 40 people took part in the 23 mile sponsored Over the Rainbow walk between Sheffield and Doncaster. Pictured are Jane Litchfield, Toni Peet, Phoebe Litchfield, six, Jake Litchfield, four, Gracie Peet, six, and James Peet, three

Dozens of brave children with life-threatening conditions stepped out to join a sponsored walk to raise money for fellow poorly youngsters.

More than 100 families took part in the ‘Over the Rainbow’ trek from Sheffield Children’s Hospital to Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

David Vernon-Edwards, of Shef

About 50 youngsters, some born prematurely and others with respiratory and heart conditions, bravely joined walkers on the last mile stretch of the 23-mile walk.

Together, they managed to raise more than £4,300 for a number of charities which help toddlers and teenagers suffering from terminal or life-limiting conditions.

The event was organised by Caroline Barratt as a thank you to the medical teams who saved her daughter Amelia’s life when she suffered a seizure aged five.

The 36-year-old teacher, of Brimham Close, Kirk Sandall, was joined by her daughter on the trek, and said: “It was so inspiring to see these children complete the walk.

“There was a rainbow in the sky when Amelia was born and that was in my thoughts on the walk.

“The medics saved her life. They were incredible.”

She described the family’s ‘living nightmare’ when little Amelia, who was born three months prematurely, endured a two-hour fit last November.

Specialists at the DRI, Sheffield Children’s Hospital and the Embrace team, which transferred the youngster between sites, worked together to save her life.

Mrs Barratt said: “It was a living nightmare. Her temperature went through the roof, she looked awful. We thought she might die. But the medics saved her life and we will never forget that.”

The five-year-old, a pupil at Edenthorpe Canon Popham School, weighed just 1lb 7oz at birth and suffers intermittent convulsions as a result of her premature arrival. But she is hopeful of joining in another planned sponsored walk next year.

Funds will go to Embrace, the DRI and Sheffield Children’s Hospital. The walkers went through Sheffield, Rotherham and Conisbrough before reaching the DRI.

David Vernon-Edwards, charity director at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, praised the walkers for their efforts.

He said: “We couldn’t transform the hospital without supporters like Caroline and it’s great to hear how successful her event was. Fundraising is vital to the work of the charity, and events like this, which brought hundreds of people together, can be lots of fun while raising vital funds for the hospital to make it better.

“The money raised will be split between Embrace and the Make it Better appeal to create the best possible environment for children to get better more quickly, delivering world-class facilities to match the world-class expertise already provided.”

To help fundraising visit https://www.justgiving.com/OvertheRainbowcharitywalk/

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